Julie Appleby | (TNS) KFF Health News

Tax season is never fun. But some tax filers this year face an added complication: Their returns are being rejected because they failed to provide information about Affordable Care Act coverage they didn’t even know they had.

While the concern about unscrupulous brokers enrolling unsuspecting people in ACA coverage has simmered for years, complaints have risen in recent months as consumers discover their health insurance coverage isn’t what they thought it was.

Now such unauthorized enrollments are also causing tax headaches. Returns are getting rejected by the IRS and some people will have to pay more in taxes.

“It’s definitely gotten worse over the past year. We’ve helped three to four dozen people this year already,” said Erin Kinard, director of systems and intake for the Health and Economic Opportunity Program at Pisgah Legal Services in North Carolina, which helps low-income families enroll in ACA plans and get tax help.

Neither the IRS nor the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees the federal Obamacare marketplace, responded to questions about the problem.

The IRS did, however, issue an FAQ in February instructing consumers on what to do if their electronically filed returns are rejected because of ACA issues.

Unauthorized sign-ups can happen in several ways, Kinard and others said. Some rogue agents troll online enrollment portals that are accessible only to brokers but are integrated with the healthcare.gov website. When those agents open a new policy or switch an already enrolled policyholder to a different plan, they garner the associated monthly commissions. Other consumers unwittingly sign up when they respond to advertisements touting gift cards or government subsidies then are transferred to agents who enroll them in health coverage. It’s happening even after new rules were put in place requiring agents to get written or recorded consent from clients before making changes.

CMS has not released details on how many consumers have been affected or how many agents have been sanctioned for participating in such schemes.

There’s also no public tally of how many taxpayers are facing problems as a result. And the tax consequences can come as a surprise.

“Many people are finding out when they go to e-file their taxes and it bounces back and the IRS says it can’t accept your return,” said Christine Speidel, an associate professor and the director of the Federal Tax Clinic at Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law.

Returns are rejected if the IRS has information indicating the taxpayer has ACA coverage but the returns don’t include forms that help determine whether premium tax credits paid on the policyholder’s behalf to insurers were correct. If their income was misstated by the rogue broker who enrolled them, for example, they might not have qualified for the full amount paid. Or, if they had affordable employer coverage, they would not have been eligible for ACA subsidies at all.

Ashley Zukoski, an ultrasound technologist in Charlotte, North Carolina, had employer coverage but now faces a tax bill for an ACA plan she said she never signed up for. She reached out to KFF Health News after it reported on such unauthorized plan enrollments.

Unbeknownst to her, she said, a broker in Florida enrolled her family in an ACA plan in late February 2023, even though Zukoski had coverage starting that January through her job. The broker listed an income that qualified the household for a full subsidy, so Zukoski never received a premium bill.

Her first inkling that something was amiss came early in 2024 when she received a special form, called a 1095-A, which showed she had an ACA plan. After reporting the problem to the federal marketplace, she sought to get the 1095-A voided so she would not be liable for the plan’s premium subsidies paid by the government to the insurer.

But, because Zukoski’s pharmacy had billed the ACA plan instead of her job-based coverage, her request was denied. She plans to appeal.

In the meantime, the family has filed an extension on their taxes.

“Instead of getting a $4,100 refund, we now owe almost $700 in taxes based on the 1095-A and premium tax credit applied,” Zukoski said.

With the April 15 federal tax filing deadline upon us, there are some important steps for affected consumers to take, tax and insurance experts said.

First, because it could take weeks to get corrected forms, experts recommend filing for an extension to buy more time. When consumers file for that extension, they should also pay any taxes owed to avoid penalties and interest.

In general, consumers who at any point in the year think they are victims of an unauthorized enrollment or plan switch should report it immediately to the relevant federal or state ACA marketplace and request a corrected Form 1095-A. But move fast. Appeals to cancel coverage retroactively must be made within 60 days of discovering the fraudulent enrollment, Speidel said.

Consumers can ask for help filing a complaint with federal or state regulators by contacting their own insurance agents or seeking help from assisters or “navigator” programs, which are government-funded nonprofit groups that help people enroll or deal with insurance problems.

Navigators and assisters are fielding many such cases this year and can submit what are called “complex case forms,” which help federal officials investigate such complaints, said Lynn Cowles, program manager for Prosper Health Coverage, a navigator program in Texas.

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(KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.)

©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A judge has dismissed some of the most serious charges against a former Minnesota college student who police and prosecutors feared was plotting a campus shooting.

Waylon Kurts, of Montpelier, Vt., who was then a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, was charged last April with conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit threats of violence, making terroristic threats, and a less serious count of conspiracy to commit theft. Prosecutors alleged he was “planning a mass casualty event.”

But Rice County Judge Christine Long this week dismissed two of the felony counts against Kurts, citing a lack of evidence that he was conspiring with anyone to commit assault or threats of violence, KARE-TV reported.

Kurts, who has pleaded not guilty and is free on bail, has maintained that he is a recreational firearms enthusiast and was just exchanging text messages on that topic with a like-minded friend.

“Both individuals spent a significant amount of time discussing firearms, firearm builds, and performance of certain builds, as well as purchasing parts for firearms,” Long wrote in her order Wednesday. “However, there is no evidence that either party communicated with the other regarding threats or plans to engage in either threats of violence or second-degree assault.”

Kurts was arrested after a custodian found two empty packages for gun magazines outside Kurts’ dorm room. Police who searched his room also found a tactical vest, empty ammunition boxes, extended magazines, smoke grenade packages, and other tactical gear. They also found a hand-drawn floorplan of a campus athletic facility. But no guns or ammunition were ever found.

Long ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial on the terroristic threats charge, and on a misdemeanor conspiracy to commit theft charge stemming from notebook writings about stealing ammunition from Walmart, but further proceedings have not been scheduled.

The basis for the surviving terroristic threats charge is the prosecution argument that by leaving the two empty high-capacity magazine boxes in the trash where they could be seen by college staff and students, and that by stockpiling tactical gear and firearm parts at the school, Kurts made an indirect threat in reckless disregard of causing terror.

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Some motorcyclists are reckless

As a senior Metro Mobility bus operator of eight years, I have had a front-row seat to the increased frequency of careless and reckless driving all over the Twin Cities since COVID. When the weather warms, motorcyclists emerge from months of winter hibernation, creating a heightened public safety risk. This is not the fault of every motorcyclist. We all know a few bad apples can ruin it for everyone.

However, based on my observations as a bus operator, motorcyclists seem to be among the worst offenders when it comes to speeding and recklessness on the open highways.

The question is, how can we test the accuracy of one professional observation (mine) against the empirical data from MnDOT traffic cameras directly? Most importantly, what can we do about it?

Should motorcyclists be allowed to get away with breaking more traffic laws than regular motorists because of their increased vulnerability on the highways?

Why has the Minnesota State Patrol not created a special task force for speeding and reckless public endangerment by offending motorcyclists during riding season?

Omar Alansari-Kreger, St. Paul

 

Shared responsibility

It’s called living in society. As participants in a community, however large or small, we are individually required, to some degree, to participate in the daily lives of those around us; even if only to pause in the street to allow our neighbor to turn slowly into their driveway from the street in front of us. We no longer burn piles of dead leaves in our yards. If we lend a vehicle to a friend or relative, we are at least partially responsible if that person speeds through an intersection and disrupts traffic flow or causes an accident. If a young member of our family picks up a loaded gun we have neglected to secure and shoots somebody, we are, to some degree, responsible. We are responsible if a member of our family becomes dangerous to others, we are responsible to report to authority.

If the installation of cameras at intersections to record traffic-law infractions results in citations to the vehicle owner, that is also part of our responsibilities as citizens. And, if such installations result in fewer traffic accidents, that is a positive outcome. It’s called living in society.

Carl Brookins, Roseville

 

A missing date

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (National), has called on the Biden administration to “demand that the Israeli government de-escalate the crisis it started.” Apparently the CAIR calendar does not contain an October 7th.

Alan Miller, Eagan

 

A parking-ticket puzzle

I’m surprised St. Paul Ward 1 Councilmember Anika Bowie was unaware of her parking and speeding tickets. She explains that “I haven’t received my tickets because I haven’t changed my address on my driver’s license.” Parking tickets are left on the car’s windshield and speeding tickets handed directly to the driver. She obviously ignored the court’s past-due letters mailed to her Roseville address. Did she not inform the U.S. Post Office that she now resided in St. Paul? The first lesson in politics is “tell the truth.”

Peter K. Butler, St. Paul

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The 30th annual St. Paul-Area Athena Awards was held this week at St. Paul RiverCentre.

The awards were presented to senior, female student-athletes who display excellence in athletics and academics.

Here are the award-winners:

Grace Alagbo

School: Apple Valley

Athletics: Wrestling: Two-time state individual champion, two-time individual state champion, national wrestling hall of fame & museum inductee. Ultimate Frisbee: All-state

Academics/other: National quarterfinalist in speech/debate, NSDA Degree of Excellence. National Honor Society. Triple A Award winner

College choice: Ursinus

Marisa Frost

School: Centennial

Athletics: Basketball: All-state honorable mention. All-conference. Owns multiple school records. State entrant. Soccer: All-state, state runner up, captain

Academics/other: National Society of High School Scholars, National Honor Society, youth basketball coach

College choice: North Dakota State

Delaney Nelson

School: Central

Athletics: Soccer: Conference champion, captain. Basketball: Captain. Football. Lacrosse. Track and Field

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Central Symphonic Band, Triple A Award, Advanced Placement Scholar Award, soccer mentor

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Evelyn Goldschmidt

School: Chatfield

Athletics: Volleyball: All-conference. Basketball: All-conference, captain. Track and Field: State runner-up, All-state

Academics/other: Minnesota Honor Society, Sunday School teacher, Big Sister

College choice: Winona State

Addyson Barrett

School: Chisago Lakes

Athletics: Soccer: All-state, Conference Player of the Year. School record for goals scored. Basketball: Captain. Track and Field: State participant, All-conference honorable mention, captain. Speed and Strength

Academics/other: Link Crew leader, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, youth sports volunteer

College choice: Hamline

Ellery Tennison

School: Como Park

Athletics: Volleyball: All-conference, conference champion. Basketball: State entrant, conference champion. Track and Field: State entrant, school record-holder, conference champion

Academics/other: AP Scholar Award, academic all-state

College choice: Oregon

Elizabeth Zenda-Johnson

School: Concordia Academy

Athletics: Cross Country: All-conference, captain. Basketball: Captain. Softball: All-conference, captain

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Student Ambassador, youth sports coach, Feed My Starving Children

College choice: Concordia-St. Paul

Annie Mulcahy

School: Cretin-Derham Hall

Athletics: Soccer: Ms. Soccer finalist, All-state, captain

Academics/other: Student Ambassador, Peer mentoring, Feed My Starving Children, Captain Council

College choice: St. Thomas

Drew Buslee

School: Eagan

Athletics: Basketball: State entrant, All-conference, school record holder for assists, captain. Tennis: All-conference. Softball: All-conference

Academics/other: Living Well Disability Services volunteer, SADD, Unified Class, Feed My Starving Children, Honors student

College choice: Sioux Falls

Mallory Paine

School: East Ridge

Athletics: Swimming: All-state, five school records, All-American consideration, captain

Academics/other: Vice President of Student Ambassadors, National Honor Society, editor of school newspaper, Co-President of PRISM, orchestra member, confirmation teacher, junior swim coach, AP Scholar with distinction

College choice: San Diego

Emily Percival

School: Eastview

Athletics: Cross Country: State participant, All-conference, captain. Nordic Skiing: All-state, conference champion, US Ski Midwest Junior National Team, captain. Track and Field. Will be school’s first-ever 18-letter winner

Academics/other: National Honor Society, editor of school newspaper, LINC Leader, Unified PE Mentor, youth ski coach, MSHSL ExCEL Award Winner, Bryn Mawr College President’s Book Award Recipient

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Mariah Fenske

School: Farmington

Athletics: Cross Country: All-state. Track and Field: State participant, All-conference

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Link Crew Member, youth sports volunteer

College choice: South Dakota

Sami Ernst

School: Forest Lake

Athletics: Softball: State champion, All-conference, captain. Gymnastics: State runner-up, All-state, Team State entrant, team conference champion, individual section champion, captain

Academics/other: Youth sports coach, Church volunteer, Feed My Starving Children

College choice: St. Scholastica

Ella Berg

School: Gentry Academy

Athletics: Lacrosse: All-American, All-state. Tennis: All-conference

Academics/other: Youth sports coach, Feed My Starving Children, Clothing drive, National Honor Society, Student Council

College choice: Louisville

Kimberly Tobar

School: Harding

Athletics: Tennis: All-conference, captain. Badminton: All-state, captain. Gymnastics. Basketball

Academics/other: IB Scholar, hospital volunteer, youth sports coach, AVID, Thielen Foundation Scholarship Recipient

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Skylar Little Soldier

School: Hastings

Athletics: Wrestling: Three-time individual state champion. Cross-country: All-conference

Academics/other: Youth wrestling coach, Hastings’ Excel Recipient, Athletic Leadership Council

College choice: Grand Valley State

Kate Reubish

School: Highland Park

Athletics: Volleyball: All-conference, state participant, captain. Hockey: All-conference honorable-mention, Hobey Baker Award. Softball: All-conference, City champion, captain

Academics/other: National Honor Society Treasurer, Science Club, FFA, Try Hockey For Free volunteer, IB Diploma Candidate

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Grace Zhan

School: Hill-Murray

Athletics: Volleyball: Hockey: State runner-up, All-state, Jori Jones Award winner (senior goaltender of the year)

Academics/other: Christian Service Learning, Academic All-state

College choice: Dartmouth

Willa Campion

School: Humboldt

Athletics: Cross Country: All-conference, captain. Nordic Skiing. Track and Field: Captain. Ultimate Frisbee: State runner-up, captain

Academics/other: Robotics National Qualifier, school newspaper editor in chief, AP Scholar with Honor, Kurt Hahn tutor, Global Seal of Biliteracy, National Education Equity Lab Honor Society

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Siri Stolen

School: Irondale

Athletics: Nordic Skiing: State entrant, Midwest Junior National Team Member, All-conference, captain. Ultimate Frisbee: Captain. Cross Country: Captain. Soccer. Track and Field. Swim and Dive

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Peer Tutor, youth sports coach, AP Scholar with Distinction, French Club Co-Founder and Leader, Loppet Foundation volunteer

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Kelly Joachin Valdez

School: Johnson

Athletics: Swimming: Captain. Gymnastics. Track and Field: All-conference honorable mention

Academics/other: School arts and poetry magazine editor, Peer leader, Saint Paul Federation of Educators volunteer, Brightest-Light Award winner

College choice: Minnesota

Trinity Wilson

School: Lakeville North

Athletics: Basketball: All-state, state entrant, MSHSL All-Tournament Team. Track and Field: State place-winner, All-conference

Academics/other: Feed My Starving Children, Thanksgiving food drive, Hopes Kids volunteer

College choice: Vanderbilt

Tori Tschida

School: Lakeville South

Athletics: Lacrosse: All-American, All-state, State champion, captain

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Unified Physical Education, Junior Class Officer, Bible Study Leader, Elementary school tutor, youth sports coach, Certificate of Academic Excellence, STEM Accreditation

College choice: Temple

Victoria Nelson

School: Mahtomedi

Athletics: Hockey: All-conference. Softball: All-conference. Soccer

Academics/other: National Honor Society, youth sports coach, DECA, Rocket Team

College choice: St. Scholastica

Jada Schultz

School: Math and Science Academy

Athletics: Cross Country: All-state, captain. Track and Field: All-state, captain. Nordic Skiing: All-conference, captain

Academics/other: Blanket making for animal shelters in the Twin Cities. Fosters dogs. PSEO

College choice: Hamline

Nora Pederson

School: Mounds Park Academy

Athletics: Soccer: All-conference honorable mention, captain. Basketball: All-conference, captain. Track and Field: State participant, All-conference honorable mention

Academics/other: Peer Leaders, orchestra, choir, youth sports coach, community food shelf volunteer

College choice: Luther

Audrey Kocon

School: Mounds View

Athletics: Volleyball: Miss Baden Finalist (best senior player), All-state

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mustang Mentor

College choice: Providence

Mary McCormick

School: New Life Academy

Athletics: Swimming: National Team member. Club Swimming: State champion, National meet place-winner

Academics/other: Spring play. One Act. Sunday School teacher

College choice: Rhode Island

Peyton Verdon

School: North Branch Area

Athletics: Softball: All-conference, State participant, captain. Soccer: Captain

Academics/other: Community/Public Service Service Clean Up, Feed My Starving Children, Middle School mentor

College choice: Southwest Minnesota State

Ashlee Horton

School: North St. Paul

Athletics: Basketball: All-conference. Track and Field: All-conference

Academics/other: National Honor Society, AVID, Elementary school volunteer

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Ayla Puppe

School: Northfield

Athletics: Hockey: Ms. Hockey winner, All-state, state leader in goals and assists. Holds many school records

Academics/other: National Honor Society, L.I.N.K., youth hockey volunteer, Elementary school volunteer

College choice: Minnesota

Fern Fisher

School: Nova Classical Academy

Athletics: Volleyball: All-conference, captain

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Student Senate, PSEO

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Ava Reckinger

School: Park

Athletics: Soccer: All-section, All-conference, captain. Nordic Skiing: Captain. Lacrosse: Conference champion, All-conference, All-section, captain. Basketball

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Student Council, Key Club, Link Crew, Church Youth Group, Dorothy Day volunteer

College choice: Wisconsin-La Crosse

Carly Kimmes

School: Randolph

Athletics: Softball: State champion, All-state, captain. Volleyball: Captain. Basketball

Academics/other: National Honor Society treasurer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Yearbook committee, Feed My Starving Children, youth sports camps

College choice: Minnesota State Mankato

Brianna Tix

School: Red Wing

Athletics: Softball: All-conference, All-section, captain. Volleyball: All-conference honorable mention, captain

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Dakota Language Bowl Team, Native American Student Association, Adopt-a-Highway, youth sports coach, Red Wing Ambassador Program, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, MIEA Minnesota Female Student Athlete of the Year

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Ava Thompson

School: Rosemount

Athletics: Soccer: State champion, All-conference honorable mention, captain. Basketball: All-conference, school assists record holder, captain. Golf: All-conference, captain

Academics/other: Choir, youth sports coach, Feed My Starving Children

College choice: Concordia-St. Paul

Ruby Eskin

School: Roseville Area

Athletics: Soccer: All-conference honorable mention, captain. Hockey: All-conference, captain, Hobey Baker Award winner. Track and Field: All-conference, captain

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Choir, music teacher, youth sports coach, Feed My Starting Children

College choice: Augsburg

Gianna Schmidt

School: St. Agnes

Athletics: Volleyball: All-conference. Basketball. Lifting: Conference champion. Softball: State participant, All-section, All-conference

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Musical, youth sports coach, Church Youth Leadership Team

College choice: Minnesota

Aurelia Meza

School: St. Paul Academy

Athletics: Soccer: State champion, Conference champion, All-conference honorable mention, captain. Hockey: All-conference honorable mention

Academics/other: Senior Class Leadership Council, Student Ambassador/Tour Guide, youth sports coach, Mentor for Mentor-Mentee Program

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Abigale Lindquist

School: Simley

Athletics: Cross Country: State entrant, All-conference, All-section, captain. Nordic Skiing: Individual Conference champion, captain. Track and Field: Team Conference champion, All-section, captain. Swim and Dive

Academics/other: AP Scholar Award, Feed My Starving Children, USA Track and Field volunteer, Industrial Technologies Department Award

College choice: St. Olaf

Annie Felton

School: South St. Paul

Athletics: Tennis: All-conference, captain. Hockey: State participant, All-conference honorable mention, captain, Hobey Baker Award award. Golf: Captain

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Student Council, youth sports volunteer, Feed My Starving Children

College choice: St. Thomas

Maycie Neubauer

School: Stillwater

Athletics: Lacrosse: All-state, State participant, Conference champion. Alpine Skiing: All-state, National qualifier, Individual Section champion, Team State runner-up, Team Section champion, Team Conference champion

Academics/other: Ambassador of Morgans Message, Yearbook Committee, Newspaper Committee, youth lacrosse coach

College choice: Florida Southern

Ellie Volkers

School: Tartan

Athletics: Tennis. Track and Field: All-conference, captain. Soccer. Hockey: All-conference honorable mention, captain

Academics/other: Student Council President, DECA President, National Honor Society, High Schools Against Cancer Executive Position, TLC Vet Clinic – Vet Assistant, District 622 Outstanding Student Award, MSHSL Leadership Council, Link Crew

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Mariah Willard

School: Trinity School at River Ridge

Athletics: Track and Field: State champion. Soccer: All-conference honorable mention. Cross Country. Basketball

Academics/other: Chamber singers, Honors 1 title in Physics A

College choice: St. Thomas

Lily Leitner

School: Two Rivers

Athletics: Soccer: All-conference, captain. Hockey: All-conference, captain. Lacrosse: All-conference, captain

Academics/other: Link Crew, Unified Club, Student Council, youth sports coach, summer school aid, summer school aid, Spotlight on Scholarship

College choice: Wisconsin-River Falls

Evie Hansen

School: Visitation

Athletics: Cross Country: State participant, All-conference, captain. Nordic Skiing. Track and Field: All-conference, captain

Academics/other: AP Scholar, Animal Humane Society adoption floor assistant, River Valley Girl Scouts senior counselor, youth sports coach, Habitat for Humanity

College choice: Undecided/not listed

Ariel Fang

School: Washington

Athletics: Volleyball: All-conference. Badminton: State participant, captain. Cross Country

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Link Crew, WEB Leader, Hmong Club, Feed My Starving Children, National History Day honorable mention, Twin Cities in Motion

College choice: Minnesota

Heidi Barber

School: White Bear Lake

Athletics: Football. Golf. Basketball: State participant, All-conference, captain. Softball: State participant, All-state, captain

Academics/other: Youth sports coach

College choice: Connecticut

Gabby Mauder

School: Woodbury

Athletics: Swim and Dive: Two-time individual diving state champion, All-American, school record holder, captain

Academics/other: National Honor Society, Student Council Vice President, Elementary school volunteer, Royal Connections

College choice: Minnesota

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